jacobm3 Report post Posted February 1, 2017 Hello All, This is my first post and I'd like get a sanity check before spending a bunch of money on a new machine. I just learned how to sew a month or two ago in order to repair a jacket (which led to me buying a new Singer 4411 and a Singer 237 from an estate sale) and I'm still figuring out what's what and realizing my home machines have very real limits. Leatherworker has been a great source of information. THANK YOU! I realized I'm surrounded by fun potential projects that I can't do with my lightweight machines - custom shade sails for the patio, wallets, laptop bags, reupholstering my 10+ year old car interiors, upholstering outdoor furniture, custom dog collar a friend's new bulldog, etc... I was looking at the Consew 206RB and planned to find a used machine on Houston Craigslist, but the used prices in Houston are about twice what I've read other people on LW paying recently in other parts of the country. I don't want to pay 80% of retail for a 20-40 year old machine with an unknown maintenance history. I've been reading a lot here and I'm thinking about ordering a Cowboy CB227R cylinder bed instead. Here are my planned/ideal requirements: - able to sew multiple layers of heavy canvas/sunbrella for shade sails - auto upholstery (leather, vinyl, fabric, some 3D shapes that might be a challenge with a flatbed) - cordura and/or light/medium leather for wallets, backpacks, messenger bags, purses, canvas/leather bags - available accessories, feet, parts, etc. (I heard Pfaff and Adler parts are very expensive and the Cowboy takes common accessories) - good torque and control at very low speed (Cowboy comes with a speed reducer and a servo motor) - able to handle heaviest thread weight required by the above types of projects Ideally I'd like this machine to also be able to handle hemming denim jeans, which seems to be on the upper end of what my existing Singers can handle. I was looking forward to having the stitch length dial and a dedicated spring-loaded reverse lever on a 206RB-5 though. I like the all metal construction of my Singer 237, but I really like having separate stitch length and reverse controls Is the Cowboy CB227R the best choice for me or is there another machine I should consider? I originally hoped to pick something up off CL for a few hundred dollars but I realize that's probably not going to happen. I'd like to stay under the $1600. Thanks in advance! -Jacob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jacobm3 Report post Posted February 1, 2017 (edited) Also, how important is a safety clutch? I have a good habit so far of created bird's nests every now and then. Edited February 1, 2017 by jacobm3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted February 1, 2017 If you sew very slowly, birds' nests are easier to recover from before you throw the hook out of time (maybe). If you are able to stop within a few jammed stitches, the top thread can be pulled out of the shuttle race. If you learn to hold back the starting threads, you shouldn't have any thread jams in the hook in the first place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brmax Report post Posted February 1, 2017 (edited) Jacob welcome! to site Sales or auctions are pretty fun to check out no-matter, I seem to find and bring home something I thought was needed? I can only recommend being patient looking for used or even very little used, as all of my finds. Following that, try some more of the same and if you figure all that out let me now the secret. I will say looking around for used machines, that the consideration of lowering your standards to raise your average is not good. Some of the machines may actually be designs of more than 20years old and then again actually that old, never used(the find ) Several machines today have a safety clutch on the assembly and some do not. Having a machine here that's not equipped with one and though I have not tripped any of the others here that have them is considered, and had me concerned earlier on. These are the same series machines so very much the same and get the very same work. To really benefit the safety clutch conversation, its a great thing. In my case with no reduction pulleys adding extra torque and luck could be the ticket. So one might need a running start to trip the mechanism. With that some around here could input on the immediate torque available now days with servos vs clutch motors already at top speed, and say dumping the clutch. Im just not sure on any of that. I can easily say the dealers that are on the site here seem to understand readily what we need for the products we make. So I will easily say the bags and some collars work great with a cylinder arm, but I will tell you if having to do one big canvas cover on a cylinder arm. Lets just say I would not be happy to be around, and although I'm a gett'r done person customers can count on. I would smartly avoid them that day! good day Floyd Edited February 1, 2017 by brmax Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uwe Report post Posted February 1, 2017 The Cowboy CB227R seems like a fine machine and would probably do most of what you want to. I think you should also pay a visit to your local industrial sewing machine vendor South West Sewing Machines in Houston. See if you get good vibes talking to them. Having a local resource for machines, parts, and service is a big deal. Shipping these little monsters across the country is not cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jacobm3 Report post Posted February 2, 2017 Regional price differences are significant even within Texas. I initially talked to Southwest Sewing when I was looking for a flatbed machine (Consew 206RB) and they were friendly but their prices were several hundred dollars more than new prices for the same machines in other cities. Talked to Bob in Toledo about the Cowboy and he referred me down to Alexander at Solar Leather in Arlington who spent time with me on the phone providing guidance and answering all my questions; I'm excited to say he's putting a new CB227R on a truck for me today! I'm going to pick it up from a freight hub in Houston rather than having it delivered to my home which saves on shipping too. Also, it turns out the CB227R does have a safety clutch, it just wasn't mentioned in the product pages I found online. Can't wait to get it setup, it sounds like an awesome machine and my $109 Singer 4411 will be happy for me to stop running vinyl and heavy thread through it! Thanks for everyone's input! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SolarLeatherMachines Report post Posted February 3, 2017 Hi Jacob! Your machine is on it's way to you! Hope you like it! Oh, and we're expanding our Cowboy Showroom in Dallas to 4000 Sqft. We want to have a small classroom, too. We hope to start having some classes (belts, holsters, etc) in a couple of months. Let me know if you're interested. Best, Alexander Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jacobm3 Report post Posted February 4, 2017 Thank you sir! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
